ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Berlin Power Shift at Humboldt Forum, Kennedy Center Closure Vote, Kyiv Treasures in London

institutional · 2026-09-16

The federal government of Germany intends to assume control of the exhibition spaces within Berlin’s reconstructed Stadtschloss, which are presently utilized by the Stadtmuseum and the state of Berlin, set to vacate in 2028. Interest from various Berlin museums in the Humboldt Forum floor indicates a shift towards increased federal oversight and enhanced curatorial authority for the Humboldt Forum Foundation. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the Kennedy Center board, under Trump’s leadership, has voted for a two-year closure, while a federal judge has prohibited the reinstatement of Trump’s name. Citing safety issues, Trump plans renovations and may appeal to the Supreme Court. The center is at risk of financial failure; Trump reports $17 million raised, with Congress approving over $250 million for renovations. Additionally, London's Victoria and Albert Museum is featuring "Sacred Treasures from Kyiv."

Key facts

  • Germany's federal government plans to take over Humboldt Forum exhibition floors used by Berlin and the Stadtmuseum, which leaves in 2028
  • Marcus Woeller sees the move as a power shift increasing the Humboldt Forum Foundation's curatorial profile
  • The Trump-led Kennedy Center board voted again for a two-year closure while a judge blocked reinstalling Trump's name
  • A May injunction requires the Kennedy Center to keep operating; the board will seek its removal
  • Trump cites safety issues and plans renovations, with a possible Supreme Court appeal
  • The Kennedy Center reportedly faces financial collapse; Trump says $17 million was raised and Congress approved over $250 million
  • "Sacred Treasures from Kyiv" at the V&A shows seven 18th-century objects, including two gilded silver gates from the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
  • The documentary "Naza" won a Venice jury special prize; Miki Zohar sought to strip citizenship from Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor
  • The British Museum's Bayeux Tapestry merchandise drew 80,000 people to queue online for exhibition tickets

Entities

Artists

  • Marcus Woeller
  • Nardine Saad
  • Donald Trump
  • Gareth Harris
  • William Randolph Hearst
  • Bert Rebhandl
  • Miki Zohar
  • Yuval Abraham
  • Rachel Szor
  • Liam Hess

Institutions

Locations

  • Berlin
  • Germany
  • Washington, D.C.
  • United States
  • Kyiv
  • Ukraine
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Gaza
  • Israel
  • Venice
  • Italy

Sources